Airboat

ABSTRACT

A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling the hull through the water, and at least one seat mounted on the hull adjacent to the forward end thereof. A first airfoil means including a device resembling a large box-kite is mounted on the hull for lifting the hull partially out of the water in response to air flow pressure against the ceiling of the box-kite as the hull moves forwardly and a second airfoil means is pivotably mounted forwardly of the hull and movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift thereto. Control means are mounted adjacent the seat for controlling the speed and direction of the propelling means and the tilted position of the second airfoil means.

United States Patent 1191 Gahel Jan. 22, 1974 AIRBOAT [76] Inventor: William A. Gabel, Rt. 8,

Huntington, Ind. 46750 22 Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 211 Appl. 196.; 282,495

1/1969 Koriagin 114/665 R 3,500,784 3/1970 Reynolds 114/665 R Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner lesus D. Sotelo [5 7 ABSTRACT A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling the hull through the water. and at least one seat mounted on the hull adjacent to the forward end thereof. A first airfoil means including a device resembling a large box-kite is mounted on the hull for lifting [56] References Cited the hull partially out of the water in response to air UNITED STATES PATENTS flow pressure against the ceiling of the box-kite as the 978 311 12/1910 Lake 114/66 5 R hull moves forwardly and a second airfoil means is 1 369670 2,1921 U4I'I23 pivotably mounted forwardly of the hull and movable 699,231 5/1902 POO] 114/123 between upwardly and downwardly tilted Positions for 1,875,190 8/1932 Collins 114/665 R pp y g a selected unt of t th t C ntr l 2,215,919 9/1940 Finley 114/66.5 R means are mounted adjacent the seat for controlling 2,272,661 2/ 1942 Finley 114/665 R the speed and direction of the propelling means and Wattcrs R the position of the second ai -foil means 3,117,545 l/l964 Warner 114/665 R 3,118,411 1/1964 Koriagin 114/665 R 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures .4 I as l m9 94 Z 1 42 i 214 o I96 I05 702 IIZ l 11, 4b A;

r QNZB k en 1' t J 1. .2 98 50 20 I98 -zqu 1 izmri lil- 2/6 I54 I82 48 PATENTEDJMI 22 new i SHEET 1 er 2 Mal AIRBOAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to recreational watercraft and in particular to a watercraft having a planing hull, an airfoil lifting device, and an airfoil control surface whereby the hull can be caused to lift partially out of the water and return to a planing attitude under the control of the operator.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various forms of recreational watercraft are in wide use. Such watercraft, which include outboard motor driven boats, airboats, sailboats and the like, are each designed to provide enjoyment to the user by reason of their speed, maneuverability, and the skill required in their operation. However, all forms of recreational watercraft known to the present inventor are designed to provide maximum stability of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a watercraft which comprises a planing hull having affixed thereto means for propelling the hull through the water. At least one seat is mounted to the hull adjacent the forward end thereof and a first airfoil means including a device resembling a box kite is mounted to the hull for lifting the hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of the hull and for providing, lateral stability by reason of sides on the box kite. A second airfoil means is pivotably mounted to the forward end of the hull for movement between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift, either positive or negative, to the forward end of the hull. Control means are mounted adjacent the seat for controlling the tilting position of the second airfoil means.

The watercraft of the present invention provides a unique sports device. The flow of air about the first airfoil means produces lift causing the hull thereof to lift partially out of the water, typically this movement being an upwardly tilting movement of the hull. Simultaneously, the second airfoil, which is controlled by the operator, or one of the operators if there are more than one, provides a means for imparting either positive or negative lift to the forward portion of the bull to thereby provide a means for manually controlling the pitch attitude of the craft. In combination, the two airfoils provide a watercraft which presents a challenge to the skill of the operator or operators thereof to maintain the craft in a proper operating attitude.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel watercraft having unique operating characteristics. I

It is another object of the invention to provide such a watercraft which presents a challenge to the operators thereof.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a watercraft having thereon means for lifting the hull of the craft partially out of the water.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a watercraft which includes airfoil means for controlling the pitch attitude of the craft.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a watercraft which includes means for manually controlling the pitch attitude thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the watercraft in accordance with the present invention and partially cut away;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the watercraft with portions of the seats removed to show details of the second airfoil means; I

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the watercraft;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side plan view showing details of a counterweight and pitch stabilizing device for use on the watercraft; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cut away perspective view of the first airfoil means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings a watercraft indicated generally at 10 comprises a planing hull 12 having a generally flat bottom surface 14 and longitudinally extending keel boards 16 and 18. The transom 20 is notched as at 22 (FIG. 3 only) and a conventional out board motor 24 is swivably mounted thereto in conventional manner to provide a means for propelling the hull 12 through the water.

A plurality of laterally extending members 26, 28, and 30, are secured to hull 12 with the distal ends 32, 34 thereof extending laterally outwardly from hull 12 as shown. A pair of elongated cylindrical pontoons 38 and 40 are provided, pontoons 38, 40 each having two chambers 39, 41. Chambers 39, 41 have hemispherical end walls and are secured together in parallel relationship. One of pontoons 38, 40 is secured to the distal ends 32 of members 26 through 30 and the other of pontoons 38, 40 is secured to the distal end 34 of the members 26 through 30.

A pair of elongated struts 44, 46 are mounted to the deck 48 of hull l2, struts 44, 46 being secured at their rearward ends 50, 52, respectively, to the rearwardly disposed comers of deck 48 with suitable fasteners as at 54. Struts 44, 46 cross adjacent the midpoint of hull l2 and extend forwardly and outwardly from the front or bow 58 of hull l2. Struts44, 46 being secured to how 58 with suitable fasteners as at 60. The forward ends 62, 64 of struts 44, 46, respectively, are provided with elongated notches 66, 68, respectively, in which are received strut extensions 70, 72. Strut extensions 70, 72 each having an elongated portion 74, 76, respectively complementary to and slidably received within notches 66, 68.

A plurality of holes extend laterally through ends 62, 64 and portions 74, 76 as at 78 and suitablethreaded fasteners 80 are received therethrough to secure extensions 70, 72 to struts 44, 46. It will be apparent that extensions 70, 72 can be adjustably moved forwardly and rearwardly with respect to struts 44, 46 to thereby selectively alter the forward extension of the strut extensions 70, 72 with respect to bow 58 by positioning the extensions 70, 72 with the holes therein in registry with the holes in the struts 44, 46 and secure them by means of the fasteners 80.

Mounted to the distal ends of extensions 70, 72 are seats 82, 84, respectively. Seats 82, 84 are each provided with a conventional seat or lap belt as at 86 for the purpose of securing an operator (not shown) in the seat.

Means indicated generally at 90 are provided adjacent seat 84 for controlling the speed and direction of the watercraft 10. Means 90 includes a first control lever 92 pivotably coupled to extension 72 and having a handgrip 94 secured to the distal end thereof. A control cable 96 is operatively coupled at one end thereof to lever 92 and to the throttle (not shown) of motor 24 at its opposite end. Movement of lever 92 forwardly and rearwardly effects operation of the motor throttle to thereby control the speed thereof in conventional manner. Preferably, lever 92 is of the dead man variety whereby, whenever lever 92 is released, it automatically operates to turn motor 24 off.

Means 90 includes a second control lever 98 pivotably coupled to extension 72 adjacent the side of seat 84 opposite lever 92. Lever 98 is also provided with a handgrip 100. A bell crank 102 is pivotably mounted to strut 46 by means of a suitable axle 104 as shown and a rigid control rod 105 is operatively coupled between end 106 of bell crank 102 and lever 98 via suitable ball joints 110, 112. Rod 105 includes two telescopically engaged portions 114, 116 which are secured together by means of suitable fasteners such as cotter keys 120 whereby the length of rod 105 can be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of extension 72. A pair of control cables 122, 124 are coupled between ends 106 and 126 of bell crank 102 and suitable directional control arms 130, 132 mounted on motor 24. It will now be apparent that forward and rearward movement of lever 98 will effect turning movement of motor 24 to thereby control the direction of watercraft 10.

Preferably, a lever 140, bellcrank 142, control rod 144, and control cables 146, 148 are mounted to strut 44 for operation from seat 82 to thereby provide tandem control for the direction of motor 24.

A first airfoil means 150 is mounted above hull 12. Airfoil means 150 comprises a box-like structure resembling a box kite having a rectangular top wall 152, side walls 154, 156, and open ends 158, 160. The bottom 162 of airfoil 150 is also open.

A flap 164 dimensioned to substantially close open end 160 is hingedly secured adjacent its upper (as viewed in the drawings) end to the rearwardly disposed edge 151 of top 152. A pair of arcuate support elements 166, 168 are secured to the rearwardly disposed edges 170, 172 of sides 154, 156 in parallel, spaced apart relationship as shown. A pair of braces 174, 176 are coupled between the distal ends of elements 166, 168 and side walls 154, 156. A multiplicity of holes 169 are provided in each of elements 166, 168 each hole in element 166 being in registry with a corresponding one of the holes in element 168. Flap 164 is, in turn, provided with a pair of threaded holes (not shown) one in each of the sides thereof which are positioned to register with holes 169 in elements 166, 168. Suitable threaded fasteners 180 are provided for insertion through a selected pair of holes I69, fasteners 180 threadingly engaging the holes in flap 164 to thereby secure flap 164 in a selected downwardly and rearwardly slanted position for a purpose to be explained below.

A second airfoil means 182 is provided forwardly of bow 58. Means 182 includes a second flap 184 which is mounted between struts 44, 46 for pivotable movement about an axle 186 (FIG. 3 only) extending horizontally between struts 44,46 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of hull 12. Another control lever 188 is pivotably mounted to extension adjacent seat 82 for operation therefrom by an operator. A bell crank 190 is fixedly secured to lever 188 and a pair of lever arms 192, 194 are mounted to the top and bottom surfaces of flap 184, respectively. Control cables 196, 198 are coupled between the distal ends of bell crank 190 and respective ones of levers 192, 194. It will be apparent that forward and rearward movement of lever arm 188 will produce upwardly and downwardly tilting movement of flap 184.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in a specific embodiment, hull 12 may also be provided with a pair of rearwardly extending arms 200 which are disposed in parallel, spaced-apart relationship and which extend rearwardly a substantial distance from the motor 24. Slidably received on arms 200 is a buoyant yet heavy pontoon 202 of glass fiber reinforced plastic or the like. A pair of threaded set screws 204 are received in threaded holes 205 (FIG. 4 only) in the top surface of pontoon 202 and clampingly engage arm 200 whereby the rearward position of pontoon 202 with respect to hull 12 can be selectively adjusted and pontoon 202 secured.

In operation, two operators are seated in seats 82, 84, securing themselves by means of seatbelts 86. Hull 12 is propelled through the water by motor 24. By reason of the planing hull design of hull 12, the watercraft 10 planes on the surface of the water. Movement of the watercraft 10 through the water will in turn effect a flow of air through airfoil means 150, the air entering the open front 158 of means and exiting via the open rear wall thereof. In a normal operating posture, hull 12 will be disposed at a small angle forwardly and upwardly. Correspondingly, upper surface 152 of airfoil 150 will produce substantial upward lift on hull 12 tending to raise same out of the water. Simultaneously, airflow against and over flap 164 will, in the manner of the wingflaps of an aircraft, produce additional upwardly directed lift to the rear or aft portion 20 of hull 12 in the vicinity of motor 24 as indicated by arrow 212 (FIG. 1 only). When the lift on the hull reaches a sufficient magnitude, hull 12 will tend to tilt upwardly from the surface of the water.

Simultaneously with movement of the hull upwardly from the water, the operator sitting in seat 82 will control the angle of attack of second airfoil means 182. It will be apparent that airfoil means 182 will produce positive or upward lift as indicated by arrow 214 (FIG. 1 only) to the forward end of hull 12 when flap 184 is tilted upwardly as illustrated, and will produce negative or downward lift as indicated by arrow 216 (FIG. 1 only) to the forward portion of hull 12 when it is tilted downwardly. Correspondingly, the operator sitting in seat 82 can, by manipulation of lever 98 control the angle of attack of flap 184 to either produce positive lift which is additive to the lift created by airfoil means 150 or a negative lift to counteract the lift of the airfoil 150.

Simultaneously with the operation of flap 184 by the operator sitting in seat 82, the operator sitting in seat 84 can control the speed and direction of the hull l2.

Flap 164 can be angularly adjusted to increase the magnitude of lift produced thereby to thereby alter the operating characteristics of the craft 10. The lift effect of flap 164 also serves to offset the additional weight of motor 24.

It will now be apparent that as the hull 12 moves through the water at planing speeds, it will tend to tilt upwardly out of the water. It then becomes a challenge to the operators to counteract the tilting movement by means of the flap 184 and by controlling the speed and direction of motor 24.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art of boating, that an irregular water surface, such as results in the wake of a boat or from the wind, will further add to the tendency of the craft to lift and drop onto the surface of the water. This presents a further challenge to the operators to maintain the craft 10 in a stable attitude.

In the event that the craft l0 tilts upwardly too rapidly, the pontoon 202 affixed to the rear of hull 12, will engage the surface of the water and, by reason of its buoyancy and the speed of the craft, will tend to limit the upward tilting movement of the hull .12.

It will also be apparent thatthe behavior of the hull 12 will depend in substantial part on the weight distribution or balance of weight on the hull. For optimum responsiveness, the weight distribution should be substantially uniform such that the hull remains substantially level when not in motion. To this end, pontoon 202 can be moved forwardly or rearwardly on arms 200 to thereby adjust or counterbalance the weight of the operators sitting in seats 82 and 84. It is thus seen that the pontoon 202 operates both as a safety feature and as a balancing means for optimizing operation of the craft.

In the event atmospheric wind velocity is high enough to become a' significant factor, the craft should be headed into parallelism with the direction thereof because of the vertical stabilizing effect of the side walls 154, 156. These walls 154, 156 aid in the even flow of air along the ceiling 152 of thebox structure 150. Without these walls 154, 156 lateral instability of the craft could result from side winds producing a wobbling effect. With the side walls, there is merely a tilting effect in response to the side winds counteracted by the pontoons. With forward movement parallel to the direction of the atmospheric wind, the side walls 154, 156 provide a significant stabilizing effect similar to the tail fin of an airplane which reduces the tendency of the craft to wobble.

Variations of the watercraft of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while the watercraft has been described with two seats for operation by two operators, it will be apparent that the craft can be constructed with a single seat with foot and hand controls such that the craft could be operated by a single operator. The length of the first airfoil means 150 can be varied, it being apparent that'the relative effect of the flap 164 will be inversely proportioned to the length of the airfoil 150.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling said hull through the water, at least one seat mounted to said hull adjacent the forward end thereof, first airfoil means mounted to said hull for lifting said hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of said hull, second airfoil means pivotably mounted to the forward end of said hull and including a flap movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift to the forward end of said hull, control means mounted adjacent said seat for controlling the tilting position of said second airfoil means and the direction and speed of said propelling means, said airfoil means comprising a box-like structure having horizontal top and vertical side walls extending generally parallel to the axis of said hull, the front, back, and bottom walls of said structure being open.

2. The watercraft of claim 1 wherein said first airfoil means further includes a flap hingedly secured to said top wall of said structure for pivotable movement between a first position closing said back of a second position in parallel alignment with said top wall, and means for securing said flap in a selected angled position between said first and second positions.

3. The watercraft of claim 2 wherein said flap, when between said first and second positions, is disposed above said propelling means.

4. A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling said hull through the water, at least one seat mounted to said hull adjacent the forward end thereof, first airfoil means mounted to said hull for lifting said hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of said hull, second airfoil means pivotably mounted to the forward end of said hull and including a flap movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift to the forward end of said hull, control means mounted adjacent said seat for controlling the tilting position of said second airfoil means and the direction and speed of said propelling means, a boom fixedly secured to the forward end of said hull and extending forwardly therefrom, a boom extension coupled to said boom for movement forwardly and rearwardly with respect therto, means for locking said extension in a selected position with respect to said boom, said seat being mounted to the distal end of said extension.

5. The watercraft of claim 4 wherein there are two of said booms extending forwardly and oppositely outwardly from the forward end of said bull in spacedapart relationship, there being a boom extension movably coupled to each said boom, a seat secured to the distal end of each said extension, and means for locking said extension in a selected position with respect to said boom, said control means including a first lever mounted adjacent one of said seats and means coupled between said lever and said propelling means for controlling the speed of said propelling means, a second lever mounted adjacent said one seat, second means coupled between said second lever and said propelling means for controlling the direction of said propelling means and thereby the direction of said watercraft, and a third control lever mounted adjacent the other of said seats and means coupled between said third lever and said second airfoil means for controlling the tilting position of said flap in response to movement of said third lever.

6. A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling said hull through the water, at least one seat mounted to said hull adjacent the forward end thereof, first airfoil means mounted to said hull for lifting said hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of said hull, second airfoil means pivotably mounted to the forward end of said hull and including a flap movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift to the forward end of said hull, control means mounted adjacent said seat for controlling the tilting position of said second airfoil means and the direction and speed of said propelling means, said planing hull further including a pair of outrigger pontoons secured to said hull in parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the sides thereof, said hull further including at least one arm extending. rearwardly of said hull, a stabilizing pontoon secured to the distal end of said arm in spaced-apart relationship to the rear end of said hull, said stabilizing pontoon having substantial weight and being secured to said arm for movement forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said hull, said pontoon including means for locking said pontoon in a selected position on said arm, said arm extending rearwardly upwardly from the rear of said hull, whereby, said stabilizing pontoon engages the water in response to forwardly and upwardly tilting movement of said hull.

7. The watercraft of claim 4 wherein said second airfoil means includes an axle extending laterally between said boom, and a flap pivotably mounted to said axle and movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions to thereby impart positive and negative lift to the forward end of said hull in response to movement of said third lever. 

1. A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling said hull through the water, at least one seat mounted to said hull adjacent the forward end thereof, first airfoil means mounted to said hull for lifting said hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of said hull, second airfoil means pivotably mounted to the forward end of said hull and including a flap movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift to the forward end of said hull, control means mounted adjacent said seat for controlling the tilting position of said second airfoil means and the direction and speed of said propelling means, said airfoil means comprising a box-like structure having horizontal top and vertical side walls extending generally parallel to the axis of said hull, the front, back, and bottom walls of said structure being open.
 2. The watercraft of claim 1 wherein said first airfoil means further includes a flap hingedly secured to said top wall of said structure for pivotable movement between a first position closing said back of a second position in parallel alignment with said top wall, and means for securing said flap in a selected angled position between said first and second positions.
 3. The watercraft of claim 2 wherein said flap, when between said first and second positions, is disposed above said propelling means.
 4. A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling said hull through the water, at least one seat mounted to said hull adjacent the forward end thereof, first airfoil means mounted to said hull for lifting said hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of said hull, second airfoil means pivotably mounted to the forward end of said hull and including a flap movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift to the forward end of said hull, control means mounted adjacent said seat for controlling the tilting position of said second airfoil means and the direction and speed of said propelling means, a boom fixedly secured to the forward end of said hull and extending forwardly therefrom, a boom extension coupled to said boom for movement forwardly and rearwardly with respect therto, means for locking said extension in a selected position with respect to said boom, said seat being mounted to the distal end of said extension.
 5. The watercraft of claim 4 wherein there are two of said booms extending forwardly and oppositely outwardly from the forward end of said hull in spaced-apart relationship, there being a boom extension movably coupled to each said boom, a seat secured to the distal end of each said extension, and means for locking said extension in a selected position with respect to said boom, said control means including a first lever mounted adjacent one of said seats and means coupled between said lever and said propelling means for controlling the speed of said propelling means, a second lever mounted adjacent said one seat, second means coupled between said second lever and said propelling means for controlling the direction of said propelling means and thereby the direction of said watercraft, and a third control lever mounted adjacent the other of said seats and means coupled between said third lever and said second airfoil means for controlling the tilting position of said flap in response to movement of said third lever.
 6. A watercraft comprising a planing hull, means for propelling said hull through the water, at least one seat mounted to said hull adjacent the forward end thereof, first airfoil means mounted to said hull for lifting said hull partially out of the water in response to forward movement of said hull, second airfoil means pivotably mounted to the forward end of said hull and including a flap movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions for applying a selected amount of lift to the forward end of said hull, control means mounted adjacent said seat for controlling the tilting position of said second airfoil means and the direction and speed of said propelling means, said planing hull further including a pair of outrigger pontoons secured to said hull in parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the sides thereof, said hull further including at least one arm extending rearwardly of said hull, a stabilizing pontoon secured to the distal end of said arm in spaced-apart relationship to the rear end of said hull, said stabilizing pontoon having substantial weight and being secured to said arm for movement forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said hull, said pontoon including means for locking said pontoon in a selected position on said arm, said arm extending rearwardly upwardly from the rear of said hull, whereby, said stabilizing pontoon engages the water in response to forwardly and upwardly tilting movement of said hull.
 7. The watercraft of claim 4 wherein said second airfoil means includes an axle extending laterally between said boom, and a flap pivotably mounted to said axle and movable between upwardly and downwardly tilted positions to thereby impart positive and negative lift to the forward end of said hull in response to movement of said third lever. 